Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-08-04
AWFUL THOUGHT.
LIFE RETURNED AT A oREMAToRY

After the Subject Was Made Ready for the
Furnace-A Fifth Avenue Lady's Escape
from the Worst of Deaths She Arises from
the Coffin Dressed in Her Satin Stroud,
and Asks of Her Attendants the Cause of
Her Presence There-Diplomacy Used to
Save Her Life, Which Night Otherwise Be-
Jeopardizsd by the Shock.
New York special to- The Cincinnati
Enquirer: A living woman for whom
the crematory furnance was at its fer
cest heat of 200 degrees Fahren-
heit. and for whom the alum sheet was
already prepared, is with her husband
and children. although on Thursday
last she lay in her coffin in room adj
joining the vault where inc.neration is
done. 1t was case horrible TO con-
template, and will make evident the
need of still moro stringent laws to
govern this new feature in sanitary
welfare. EX-Coroner Hughes is Presi-
dent of the Mount Olivet Crematory
Association, which, in the form of
Grecian temple, is located in lovely
garden-spot at Fresh Pond, Long Is
land. DIR. Hughes vouches for the cor
rectness of the story, but witholds both
the name of the physician who signed
the death certificate and that of the
lady. In the former case he gave his
promise only after the most urgent APP
peals, and then he only consented to
keep The story until the annual report
is published in October. when his obi
cations us Presidsnt of the Crematory
makes it necessary for him to print the
facts, and even then, ont of the motives
of consideration that prevail in every
mans breast he will suppress the name
of the unfortunate, yet, at the same
time, happy family that had
THE DEAD RESTORED TO LIFE.
On the day mentioned casket
containing the body of woman ar
rived at the crematory. 1t came from
Fifth avenue, not far from the Hotel
Windsor. Accompanying it was the
widower, children and Il half-dozen
relatives. The casket was carried in
to the reception-room. and by its side
was placed costly silver urn in which
the ashes were to be subsequently
placed for final keeping. After SIM
pie service the lid of the coffin was re-
moved and the mourners, one by one,
took last fearful look. The lid was
replaced and the floral emblems were
| again placed on the coffin.
The widower and weeping children
were led away TO the carriages, and the
dead was left to the crematory assist
ants for incineration. When they were
gone President Hughes and his men
removed the entire lid and then sent
them to prepare the alum sheet for en-.
veloping, the body and to swing the
chilled steel cradle into position
| before.
THE GLOWING FURNACE DOORS.
While they were absent President
| Hughes turned to small mirror, and
while arranging his tie he was startled
by a faint voice at his back saying:
Where am I?'
Turning quickly, he saw the woman
sitting bolt upright in her casket, star
ing directly at him. When he gather
ed his scattered wits he realized that
prompt action was needed, and stepping
to her side he said familiarlc: You are
with friends" She had already swung
her legs out of the casket, and was
looking in dazed way at the urn and
then at her satin burial robes. Assist
ing her out of the dreadful coffin and
encrcling her with one arm. he care
fully kept her head turned from her
resting-place, and half lead, half earri-
ed her to cheerful bedroom overhead,
occupied by the Superintendent and his
wife. Soft breczes were com NC in the
window, and a CHEEKY canary bird in an
alcove sang a song of JOY. While the
Superintendent wife removed
THE GARMENTS OF DEATH
And put the lady to bed, President
Hughes hurried away, and returned
with some brandy and milk. The drink
had the effect of bringing a flush to the
cheeks of the patient. succeeded i'm
medIately by quiet doze. The tele-
graph was brought into requisition, and
the husband was soon back at the
crematorv with set of his wife's APP
pearel. While he was yet on tho way
his wife awakened from her nap and
asked: Whose clothes am wear
ing?" They were those of the crema-
tory, but that fact was ingenously con-
cealed in the reply. which seemed to
satisfy her. The severest task was
when the husband arrived, when they
tried to school him into self-control for
the interview. The course of proceed
ure agreed upon was carried out to the
letter. The husband went into the
room with the usual inquiry as to how
she felt, and said that if she considered
herself strong enough they would re-
turn to the city; that in his opinion she
had stayed long enough in the country.
Acquiescing in every thing. although
somewhat mystiiied she arose, dress
ed herself and announced that she
was ready. The husband was now
in tortured frame of mind, for he
DREADED PASSING THE FRONT DOOR
Where in large letters was the word
"Crematory." The shock of the dis
covery he feared would kill his wife.
Happily there was q rear door. and
through this he led her TO close car
riage, and thence, regardless of the fact
that there was no road, he had the car
riage driven straight across the lawn
and field until kindly trees hid the
crematory from sight. Then he took
the smooth pike to tho nearest railroad
station. and train thence home.
The children had been forewarned Of
what had occurred. but as au addition
al precaution they were sent from home
and were not allowed to see their
mother until to-day. She was given tC